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Journalism of Courage
Tamil actor Ajith Kumar advised people to be mindful when helping road accident victims. Sharing a friend’s ordeal who became confined to a wheelchair owing to improper handling after an accident, Kumar highlighted why it is essential to prioritise safety. “In a road accident, trying to be good Samaritans, people come and pick you up, and that’s the whole problem. In India and most parts of the world, people think they are being good samaritans. They see an accident victim on the road and just go, pick them up, and put them in an auto. If the person, unfortunately, has a spinal injury, by doing so, you maim them for life,” he said.
In an interview with Gulf News, Ajith, who is also a racing driver, recalled, “It happened to a very close friend of mine, who met with a car accident in Pune, and the locals around (him) thought they were being very kind, and good Samaritans; (they) picked him up, he had broken his vertebra… the poor guy is now confined to a wheelchair. So these kind of things, I am not trying to say we need to educate people about, but they need to be told that ‘You don’t just run up to an accident victim on the road and pick them up like a ragdoll and shove them into an auto or a cab’. Wait for the paramedics to arrive.”
He also mentioned how some people give them water (road accident victims), but “if that person requires immediate surgery, you cannot perform the surgery right away because that person has consumed water… it could (cost them their life). So there are so many things you need to be aware of.”
Learning from his advice, let’s understand how to properly be good Samaritans and care for accident victims.
A good Samaritan who handles an accident victim may need to be calm, have the presence of mind, and be aware of what is happening, said Dr Aklesh Tandekar, head consultant, critical care, Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road.
“The first step is ensuring your safety and that of others at the accident scene. One should call for immediate help for accident victims without moving or making them walk. Remember, while waiting for professional assistance, try to comfort the victim without moving them unless there’s immediate danger to the accident victim,” said Dr Tandekar.
Keep checking the victim’s condition. Dr Tandekar said one should check for signs such as bleeding, breathing, consciousness, or any intense injury. “Do not try to give any medical treatment on your own unless you’re trained to do so, as that can be risky for the patient,” said Dr Tandekar.
Meanwhile, try to get the victim’s details, contact the family, monitor the victim’s symptoms, and see if there are any changes in the condition, as this information will be crucial for the medical assistance team that arrives at the accident spot. “Try to give accurate information to the medical team arriving on the scene. Give assurance to the victim that he/she will be alright, ensure that the accident victim is awake and responding, and prevent further panic and chaos on the site,” said Dr Tandekar.
Dalip Sabharwal, Delhi’s Bicycle Mayor and a certified POSH trainer, said although many of us tend to overlook accident victims and refrain from offering assistance, it is essential to regard them as if they were your own family, friends or loved ones, as they are equally important to someone else. “If the victim is conscious, engage them in conversation to assess the extent of their injuries, which will help you determine your next steps,” said Sabharwal.
If they are unconscious, Sabharwal advised carefully identifying their injuries “on your own to ensure you do not make it worse.” “Your top priority should always be to transport them to the nearest medical facility,” said Sabharwal.
Properly handling accident victims can significantly impact their recovery, minimising potential harm and making sure that they receive timely intervention that is life-saving.
